The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of paraprofessional child care workers as determined by ratings given on the Mazyck Rating Scale for Paraprofessionals (MRSP). The scale was developed for this study and comprised two categories of characteristics, Personal-Social, and Educational-Biographical-Working Relationships. Raters selected were child development specialists, Head Start program directors, and two groups of paraprofessionals, one trained and the other untrained. A major hypothesis was that subjects would differ significantly in their ratings of characteristics of paraprofessionals, and this hypothesis was verified. Statistical analysis identified nine factors to be considered in characterizing paraprofessionals: general personal qualities; demographic facts; education; temperament; maturity; work effectiveness; frustrating situations; positive work attitudes; and feelings of security. Any future use of the MRSP scale should add a statistically derived third characteristics category: Reaction to Stress, and scale items should be rewritten to be more easily understood by paraprofessionals. Appendixes include a sample of the MRSP; List of Characteristics; data forms; correspondence; and a list of child development specialists participating in the study. (Author/NH)